Live Price Comparison for "fish supplies"

Betta fish (single species tank, 5+ gallons, low maintenance). Mollies, platies, swordtails (peaceful community fish). Corydoras catfish (scavengers, friendly with other fish). Neon tetras (small schooling fish). Skip goldfish (need 20+ gallon tank, produce massive waste). Cycle tank for 4-6 weeks BEFORE adding fish.

Minimum 10 gallons for any community of small fish (1-inch fish per 1-2 gallons). 20-gallon long is the realistic beginner sweet spot. Larger = more stable water chemistry, more fish variety. Avoid 1-3 gallon 'starter tanks' — water chemistry swings rapidly, killing fish. Bigger tanks are easier, not harder.

Bulk Reef Supply (saltwater + freshwater). Petco + PetSmart (in-store fish + basic supplies). Marine Depot (saltwater). Aquatic Plant Central forum + local fish stores (best fish quality). Amazon for hardware. Avoid Wish + Temu for fish supplies — quality + safety standards inconsistent.

Freshwater for beginners — simpler chemistry, cheaper, more forgiving. Saltwater for experienced aquarists who want corals + reef fish. Saltwater tanks: 5-10x the cost + ongoing chemistry management. Many freshwater hobbyists never transition to saltwater. Start freshwater for first 2-3 years.

Weekly: 10-25% water change with gravel vacuum. Monthly: clean filter media (rinse in tank water — NEVER tap water, kills beneficial bacteria). Quarterly: test water chemistry (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH). Algae growth is normal — scrape glass weekly. Consistent maintenance beats occasional deep cleaning.

Tank, filter (HOB AquaClear is consensus best), heater (Eheim Jager — reliable), light (Finnex Stingray for plants, basic LED for fish), substrate (sand or gravel), water conditioner (Prime by Seachem), test kit (API Master Test Kit). Optional: air pump, decorations. Skip cheap LED lights without spectrum data — they kill plants.